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New Officials Finance Forum Provides Timely Advice

The Division of Local Services, as part of its mission to educate elected and appointed local officials on the state's public finance law for cities and towns, annually sponsors a day-long meeting in June called the New Officials Finance Forum, or as it is better known in the office, NOFF.

This year's NOFF is set for Wednesday, June 1, at the Hogan Campus Center at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, a central location for those all over the state.

The course is designed to not only provide hard information, but to encourage municipal officials to think of themselves as working on a team that is knowledgeable and well-versed in municipal finance, and that understands the interrelationships of the various municipal offices.

I would strongly urge new municipal appointed and elected officials to attend this valuable conference and to speak with DLS staff who will be at every table. Those who haven't attended in a while may also find it a useful refresher.

I will kick off the conference with opening remarks and an overview of the Department of Local Services, followed by sessions that will focus on an overview of municipal government, the budget process, the tax recapitulation process, and reserve and debt policies.

, a strong support of the work done in DLS, will kick-off the afternoon session.

In the lounge adjoining the ballroom, subject matter experts will staff information tables, and a representative from the Operational Services Division (OSD) will be on hand to provide information on cost-saving procurements.

Seating is limited, and reservations must be received by Friday, May 20. I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity.

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